Installment | Price | GST | Total | Date |
---|
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Can I prepare for the exam at home? | With sufficient study material, proper notes, books, and access to online and offline resources, preparation at home is feasible. |
Which are the best books for online exam preparation? | A vast booklist is needed due to multiple subjects in the exam. Candidates can find a detailed list of UPSC Books in the linked articles. |
Are previous year's question papers available online? | Yes, previous year's question papers are free on the official website and various online portals. |
Which optional subject must I choose for the UPSC exam? | Choose based on basic knowledge, interest, academic background, past UPSC analysis, easy availability of study material, and external assistance/coaching availability. |
Which subject is recommended for graduation to crack the UPSC Exam? | No specific recommendation, but humanities may have a slight edge. However, your graduation subject choice doesn't make a significant difference. |
Where can I find study material for exam preparation? | Comprehensive syllabus coverage requires the finest study material, available both online and offline, including books, video lectures, and notes. |
Can I choose an optional subject that I have not studied during my graduation? | Yes, candidates can choose any subject as their optional paper, regardless of their academic background during graduation. |
Is one year enough to prepare for the IAS Exam? | One year of thorough preparation, hard work, and dedicated studies can be enough to crack the IAS Exam. |
Can I crack the exam without enrolling myself in a coaching institute? | Yes, with sufficient study materials, proper planning, and dedicated self-study, it's possible to crack the exam without coaching. Coaching institutes mainly assist with understanding concepts and exam patterns, but hard work and dedication are the keys. |
Key Aspects | Details |
---|---|
Exam Structure & Selection | - Preliminary Examination (Objective) - Mains Examination (Written) - Personality Test (Interview) |
Negative Marking | - Applicable in Preliminary Exam for incorrect answers, with 1/3rd marks deduction. |
Preliminary Exam Pattern | - Two General Studies papers - 200 marks each - 2 hours duration - Objective type |
Language Options | - Papers available in Hindi and English, except for language literature papers. |
Qualifying Marks | - Minimum 25% in language papers - No minimum qualifying marks for Interview. |
Mode of Exam | - Offline for both Prelims and Mains |
Mains Exam Pattern | - Includes various papers totaling 1750 marks - Plus 275 marks for Personality Test (Total: 2025 marks) |
Optional Subject Success Rate | - Varies; dependent on candidate choice and number. Selection is critical for success. |
Results | - Available on the official UPSC website, with a downloadable list of shortlisted candidates for Prelims and Mains. |
Eligibility Criteria | Details |
---|---|
Minimum Educational Qualification | - Degree from a recognized University or equivalent - Final year students awaiting results eligible |
Age Limit | - Must be 21-32 years old - Age relaxations for specific categories |
Number of Attempts | - General: 6 attempts - OBC/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD-EWS/Disabled Defence: 9 attempts - SC/ST: Unlimited attempts |
Document Proof for Reservation | - Required documents listed in the official notification |
Attempt in Prelims | - Counts as an attempt |
Non-appearance in Exam | - Not counted as an attempt unless it appeared |
12th Passed Eligibility | - Not eligible, must have a bachelor’s degree |
information Category | Details |
---|---|
Exam Notification Release | Released in February each year, as per the yearly UPSC calendar. |
Frequency of Recruitment | Annual, with official notification once a year. |
Vacancies Released | Varies yearly; 1048 vacancies announced for 2024. |
Exam Dates Announcement | The tentative schedule is released at the year's start in the UPSC calendar, with final dates in the official notification. |
IAS Officer Salary | Ranges from Rs.56,100 to Rs. 2,50,000 per month based on post, according to the 7th Pay Commission. |
IPS Officer Salary | It starts at Rs.56,100 per month (TA, DA, and HRA extra) and can reach up to Rs.2,25,000 for a DGP. |
Subject | Recommended Books |
---|---|
History | - India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra - Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania - NCERT XI (Ancient & Medieval) - NCERT XII (Modern Indian History) |
Geography | - Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong - NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus) - NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus) - World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) |
Indian Polity | - Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth - NCERT IX-XII |
Economics | - Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania - Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri - NCERT XI |
International Relations | - NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics) - Current Affairs |
CSAT | - Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual - Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal |
Solved Papers | - IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |
Subject [Paper] | Recommended Books |
---|---|
History, Indian Heritage & Culture [GS Paper 1] | - Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania - India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra - India after Independence by Bipan Chandra - History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra - Ancient India by R.S Sharma |
Geography [GS Paper 1] | - Geography of India by Majid Husain - World Geography by Majid Husain - World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) - Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong - Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 |
Polity & International Relations [GS Paper 2] | - Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth - Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu - International Relations: Pushpesh Pant |
Economy [GS Paper 3] | - Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania - Environment and Disaster Management – Tata McGraw Hill - Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar |
Ethics [GS Paper 4] | - Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
Solved Papers | - IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |
Question | Answer |
---|---|
1- Do questions repeat in the UPSC CSE exam? | Yes, while questions rarely repeat verbatim, they often cover similar themes or concepts. |
2- How to identify the most probable themes from PYQs? | Look for patterns in PYQs to identify recurring themes and important topics. |
3- Is solving UPSC PYQs enough for clearing Prelims? | Solving UPSC PYQs aids understanding but should be complemented with comprehensive study. |
4- How to analyze UPSC CSE mains PYQs for identification of frequently asked topics? | Analyze Mains PYQs to discern recurring topics, helping focus preparation efforts. |
5- Is it helpful to cover PYQs of other UPSC exams like CDS, CAPF, NDA, EPFO, CISF for CSE prelims? | Practicing PYQs from other UPSC exams offers supplementary practice, but prioritizes CSE-specific PYQs for Prelims readiness. |